Historic? I don’t think so!
By: Dr. Jeff
Fuller
Since Monday,
much has been said regarding the ruling by the Mobile federal judge in
reference to her ruling on the unconstitutional definition of “marriage” and “spouse.” Taking to the 14th Amendment,
without any consideration for the 10th Amendment of the Constitution
and without any ruling by the Supreme Court Justices, the laws of Alabama were
changed to reflect that same-sex couples could legally wed in Alabama as of
Monday, February 9. Yet, Judge Roy Moore
pulled a trump card, writing an 11th hour ruling, directing Probate
Judges to hold to Alabama law and state’s rights. Some following his ruling, some did not. Then the battle continued all week.
§7.
Definition of ‘‘marriage’’ and ‘‘spouse’’
In
determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or
interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United
States, the word ‘‘marriage’’ means only a legal union between one man and one
woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘‘spouse’’ refers only to a person of
the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.
(Added
Pub. L. 104–199, §3(a), Sept. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2419.)
On Monday, a
street preacher in Birmingham spoke to the city council in passionate, persuasive
words as he stood his ground and on Biblical authority. What follows is an article which appeared in
the Birmingham News and at AL.COM. Hold
on to your hat and if you wish to hear his message, check out the video at YouTube and search for Cedric Hatcher .
Birmingham
pastor sees nothing 'historic' about Alabama's same-sex marriage ban ending
Headlines and newscasts around the nation reported Alabama's
first legal same sex marriages as historic, but one Birmingham pastor this
afternoon illustrated another view with his scathing public criticism.
Cedric Hatcher, an outspoken street evangelist and regular at
Birmingham City Hall, took to the lectern during the public comment portion of
today's meeting to express his disapproval of the marriages that took place
just across Linn Park and around the state Monday.
"To me yesterday was one of the most bizarre scenes I've
ever seen in the city," Hatcher said. "It was one of the most comedic
scenes I've ever seen in public when I witnessed men with size 13 and 14 shoes
out there kissing each other in the mouth in front of little kids. It was like
a freak scene going on, that's what I call it."
Like his previous statements on social issues, Hatcher didn't
soften his approach when criticizing the legalization of same-sex marriage. He
delivered an abrasive critique instead.
Hatcher cited several Bible passages and decried the presence of
children in ceremonies he believed were abominable.
Hatcher, who was among just a few preachers protesting the
marriages in Linn Park Monday, also issues a reprimand to other pastors who
have been quieter on the issue.
"To me yesterday was one of the most bizarre scenes I've
ever seen in the city," Cedric Hatcher said.
"I'm so delighted
and honored that God would have me bold enough to stand and talk about these
issues," he said. "Somebody should have stood up yesterday."
Further criticizing other pastors, Hatcher said he knows when
his colleagues would finally speak out: When church fundraising eventually came
under government scrutiny.
He went on the repeat criticisms from others opposed to the
same-sex marriage, saying the relaxed definition of marriage would open to the
door to other state-sanctioned unions that are currently outlawed.
'You're going to be able to marry your dog. You're going to be
able to marry your cat," he said. "Ain't we going crazy in this
world, ya'll?"
Hatcher said his rights as Christian are being reduced and his
voice silenced, as other beliefs and lifestyles are celebrated and promoted as
socially acceptable.
Nevertheless, Hatcher said he had a right to speak, and he would
continue to exercise that right.
"Why are we scared today, preachers?" Hatcher said.
"Everybody's coming out the closet but the saints."
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/02/birmingham_pastor_sees_nothing.html#incart_river
Historic?
Alabama is once again at the center of a cultural
controversy. All eyes are on us, the media
is crucifying us, and Christians are being “stoned” with words, slander and
called all manner of names. We must be
reminded in the midst of this battle two important things:
“For our battle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your
stand. Stand…” (Ephesians 6:12-14HCSB)
“If the world hates
you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world,
the world would love ⌊you as⌋ its own. However,
because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world
hates you…But
they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t
know the One who sent Me.” (John 15:18-19; 21 HCSB)
Hank Erwin says, “It is time to get some backbone.” We must stand on truth no matter what chooses
the world makes in their haste to face the judgment to come.
“Everybody’s coming
out the closet but the saints.” Such a
true statement. When we review the list provided
for us-by the media-of those who would perform same-sax marriages, we see
several names we recognize as individuals who have been in the “closet” but now
feel the freedom to “come out.” Changing
their mind about the Bible, marriage, and family they have given in to the
whims and wishes of a few, as if this should surprise anyone. When one sits on the fence, at some point
they have to fall off on one side or the other.
I applaud this
street preacher for taking his message to the city council. While he is somewhat brazen, he is right on
and had me shouting. I think we might
need to see if we can get him at a convention meeting.
He stands for truth,
has a good recall of scripture, and is passionate. Something some are missing. It is time to stand up or we are going to
fall even further into the abyss.
How far we have
fallen from the correct teaching of the Word of God. Questions have been raised by the same-sex
side saying that same sex marriage is not any different than divorce, gluttony,
adultery, and others. While all sin is
sin and is against a holy God who is offended by our sin, there is something
which stands out to me in scripture.
Homosexual activity is an “abomination.”
“Because that, when they knew
God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the
uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and
fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to
uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own
bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for
ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even
their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And
likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their
lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even
as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them
over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters,
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without
natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same,
but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:21-32 KJV)
It is not my job to
judge, that is above my rank. God is the
only one who can judge and for those who are leaders, preachers, pastors one
New Testament writer has some words which apply.
James was mindful of
many who longed to be teachers, leaders in the church, but he cautioned, “My
brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater
condemnation.” (James 3:1 KJV) The reminder is simple: those who lead and
instruct will be held to a greater responsibility. Those of us who lead, teach, preach, and
instruct are the ones who need not take lightly the instruction of the Word
which says, “It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto
him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one
of these little ones.” (Luke 17:1-2
KJV) Harsh words? Maybe so, but truth is truth. To offend God and mislead another into sin is
a serious matter.
The vast majority of Gospel preachers did not take to the
streets, clog up courthouse entrances, or make huge waves on Monday, because
they had already made their voice count in the pulpits of Alabama. I for one took a moment in a point dealing
with the legacy of loving God completely to say as a side note that to love God
the commandments are must be kept.
When the rich young ruler came to Jesus he asked the
question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17 HCSB)
Jesus clearly listed the six of twelve commandments, given
to Moses, as the basis for man’s relationship with man. The man replied he had kept these, from the
time he was a young tot running around his mother’s skirt. Rightly so, he had kept them, outwardly,
quoting and knowing them well but it was outward righteousness and what God
desired was inward righteousness that works out in our lives.
Later Jesus would sum these six commandments up by stating, ‘‘This
is the most important,’ Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the
Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength. ‘The second is: Love your
neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.’” (Mark
12:29-31 HCSB)
Here is the point: We love the sinner but we do not love the
sin. It is trite, well repeated, and
worn, but the reminder needs to be made.
We, as God’s people who hold to the infallible Word of God, can never
accept the sin, but we must accept the person.
Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Even though we disagree with the same-sex marriage mandate; we
believe homosexuality is a sin, that the church must stand above the sludge of
the gutters of this world, and that mean-spirited people are a part of the vast
landscape of the issues at hand we must extend love. Love them in spite of the sin. Love them in spite of their choices. Love
them to Jesus!
As for picketing and
marching and holding hands outside of courthouses around the state on Monday,
many were mourning and crying out to God in their “closets” over the wickedness
prevailing upon society. I am one of
those! I was reminded that “God turned
them over.” He allowed this to take
place; he granted the wish of the minority; he gave them their rights. Due in part to their bellyaching; also to see
what the “righteous” will do.
I want to share an
article I wrote this week and will be published next week in our local paper:
But God
By: Dr.
Jeff Fuller
King
Solomon endured a difficult time in his life.
A time when he was faced with middle age, wondering about the meaning of
life, Solomon embarked on an investigative journey which brought him back to a
sad commentary, “All was vanity
and vexation of spirit, and there was
no profit under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes
2:11 KJV)
Solomon said:
“There is
an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity
under heaven: a time to give birth and a time
to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time
to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down
and a time to build; a time to weep and a time
to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time
to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a
time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time
to search and a time to count as lost; a time
to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear
and a time to sew; a time to be silent
and a time to speak; a time to love and a time
to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.”
(Ecclesiastes
3:1-8HCSB)
While he viewed life from this
dismal perspective-a beginning and an end-it was the “in-between time” he
failed to see clearly. From a limited
observation, it
would be true that “All was
vanity and vexation of spirit, and there
was no profit under the sun,” if it were not for two simple words, “But
God!”
David
wrote,
“My flesh and my heart
may fail, but God is the strength of my heart,
my portion forever.
(Psalm 73:26
HCSB)
Notice
the small word, a word so insignificant but filled with hope. That one word is a word we need to see
clearly. It is the word “may” which
David inserted. My flesh may fail; my
heart may fail; “But God!”
Something
which was written by V. Raymond Edman caught my attention: “Precious words
those are, ‘But God.’ My flesh and my
heart fails ‘But God!’ He makes all the
difference-tears turn to triumph; bewilderment to blessings; and perplexity to
praise. Heart would faint-but God is our
strength. Flesh would fail-but God is
our portion forever!”
Matthew
Henry ascribes this section of scripture to what is learned from a time of
temptation. He says that David is
recalling a time of failure and in doing so remembers the goodness and
graciousness of God. Henry wrote, “This
temptation, the working of envy and discontent, is very painful. In reflecting
upon it, the psalmist owns it was his folly and ignorance … If good men, at any
time, through the surprise and strength of temptation, think, or speak, or act
amiss, they will reflect upon it with sorrow and shame. We must ascribe our
safety in temptation, and our victory, not to our own wisdom, but to the
gracious presence of God with us, and Christ's intercession for us.” (Matthew
Henry Concise Bible Commentary)
Take
“temptation” out of this and insert any situation which finds its pulling the
life out of you. It can be any number of
things which may come to cause the flesh to fail, the heart to fail, the light
to be darkened, and the mountain too big to traverse.
Think
on it for a moment.
You
are struggling through some sickness with no end in sight; you have a family
situation which consumes time and energy; there are problems with the children
resulting in sleepless nights and fretful days; job security is not all it is
cracked up to be; the bills are piling up and the money has run out…
BUT
GOD! Remember all of these and so many
more are watched over, handled by, and provision made by the Father. God is working all things together for His
good. (Romans 8:28) He has complete
control of the problems, stresses, and strains of life and He will not allow
you to stumble, fall, or even fail. His
purposes are working out in the midst of the valley experiences.
If
it were not for God and His faithfulness we would be most miserable. If not for the care and compassion of a God
who desires to work out the best in your life, the life we live would be a
waste of time. If it were not for God
who prepares for us a place of rest and refuge, we would see no hope.
This
is why we put our trust in Him. David
said it best, when he wrote these words, “It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the
Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”
(Psalm 73:28 KJV)
In
times of distress we must have come into it with God on our side, God with us
through the terrible event, and God with us on the other side. Therefore, we draw near to Him, walking hand
in hand with the Creator, who hold us and cares for us; trust Him. For without Him you will fail!
“But
God!” What wonderful words to hold
to!
Historic day in Alabama,
I do not think so. I think it was a day
of heresy, when the demons of hell threw a party as never before, as the
bastion of the Bible belt gave way to what some called “freedom,” others called
a win for “equal rights,” but what I call complete chaos. It was reminder that
the end is in sight.
